FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to surface cleaning implements, and more particularly, relating to a fluid dispensing surface cleaning implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cleaning windows and glass can be a time consuming and laborious choir. There exists numerous cleaning devices and squeegee blades of a myriad of constructions directed towards reducing the effort and time required to clean windows and glass. However, there remains a need for a window and glass cleaning apparatus of an improved construct which overcomes the drawbacks of the existing cleaning devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by providing a window and glass cleaning apparatus of an improved construction and including the automated dispensing of a cleaning fluid, several cleaning head configurations, and accessory attachments.
In general, in one aspect, a fluid dispensing surface cleaning device is provided. The device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle having first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end configured to be grasped by a user. A spray nozzle is carried by the handle at a position approximate the first end of the handle. A fluid container is housed by the handle and includes a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within the fluid container, the dispensing valve fluidically connected to the spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate the dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within the fluid container through the spray nozzle. A trigger assembly is carried by the handle and is operatively connected to the actuator to operate the actuator.
In general, in another aspect, a the device includes a cleaning head and an extension tube connected to said cleaning head. An elongated handle is configured to be grasped by a user and has a first end through which extends a tubular cavity into which said extension tube is telescopically received and positionable between retracted and extended position. A spray nozzle is carried by said extension tube. A fluid container is housed by said handle and has a dispensing valve that is operable to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container. An extensible fluid conduit fluidically connects said dispensing valve and said spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate said dispensing valve to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container through said spray nozzle. A trigger assembly is carried by said handle and is operatively connected to said actuator to operate said actuator.
In general, in another aspect, the device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle configured to be grasped by a user. The handle has a first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end configured to be connected to an extension handle. A spray nozzle is carried by the handle at a position approximate the first end of the handle. A fluid container is housed by the handle and has a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within the fluid container and is fluidically connected to the spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate the dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within the fluid container through the spray nozzle. An extension handle is configured to be connected to the second end of the handle. A trigger assembly includes a first trigger pivotally attached to the handle approximate the second end thereof, a cam pivotally attached to the handle, a lift shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and connected at one end with the trigger and at an opposite end to the cam, a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation, the trigger shaft connected at a first end to the actuator and connected at an intermediate position along the trigger shaft to the cam, the trigger shaft having a barb-shaped second end, a second trigger pivotallay attached the extension handle, a trigger coupling restrained for vertical reciprocation by the extension handle and including a notch at first end thereof configured to receive the barb-shaped end of the trigger shaft, and a pivot link connecting the second trigger and the trigger coupling such that operation of the second trigger causes the trigger coupling to reciprocate.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fluid dispensing surface cleaning device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the device of FIG. 1 showing a container removed;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including a non-pressurized container;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including a pressurized container with integral nozzle;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including a non-pressurized container with integral nozzle;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an integral container;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an alternative integral container;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an alternative removable container;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an alternative integral container;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an alternative trigger assembly;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an alternative trigger assembly;
FIG. 12 through FIG. 14 are diagrammatic illustrations of another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including an extension handle, wherein:
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cover exploded from an extension handle socket;
FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the extension handle exploded from the handle socket; and
FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the extension handle received by the handle socket;
FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrammatic illustrations of another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including a telescopic handle configuration, wherein:
FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the telescopic handle in a retracted position; and
FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the telescopic handle in an extended position;
FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrammatic illustrations of another embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including a telescopic handle configuration, wherein:
FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the telescopic handle in a retracted position; and
FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the telescopic handle in an extended position;
FIG. 19 through FIG. 26 are diagrammatic illustrations of embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including various cleaning head, cleaning member and spray nozzle configurations, wherein:
FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the a bristle brush cleaning member;
FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a sponge/absorbent cleaning member;
FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cleaning head with a squeegee;
FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cleaning head with interchangeable cleaning members;
FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cleaning head having a bristle brush and a secondary dispensing nozzle configuration;
FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cleaning head having a bristle brush;
FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cleaning head having a cleaning member with a secondary dispensing nozzle configuration; and
FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cleaning head with a positionable cleaning member including a secondary dispensing nozzle configuration; and
FIG. 27 through FIG. 28 are diagrammatic illustrations of embodiment of a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device including a rotatable spray nozzle, wherein:
FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a front view with the spray nozzle forwardly positioned;
FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a side view with the spray nozzle forwardly positioned; and
FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a side view with the spray nozzle rearwardly positioned.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that in this document (including the claims) directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., without departing from the principles of the invention.
In this description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that the featuring being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Moreover, separate references to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Illustrated embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the invention may include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is diagrammatically illustrated a fluid dispensing and surface cleaning device 10 that is particularly useful in cleaning hard surface of homes and automobiles, such as, but not limited to window surfaces and the like. The device 10 includes a cleaning head 12 attached to a handle 14. The cleaning head 12 may include a cleaning member 16, such as, but not limited to an absorbent material, an abrasive material, or the like that is adapted to contact and clean a hard surface. Cleaning head 12 may be a flexible to bend around curved surfaces. The cleaning member 16, may include a replaceable pad 28. The replaceable pad 28 may be removably attached to the cleaning member 16 by a hook-and-loop fastener. The cleaning head 12 may further include a squeegee blade 18. The cleaning head 12 may be pivotally connected to the handle 14 by pivot coupling 20 such that the cleaning head 12 may pivot between first and second positions relative to the handle 14. In the first position, the cleaning head 12 is generally normal to the handle 14 in a T-configuration, and in the second position, the cleaning head 12 is generally parallel to the handle 14. A lock 22 may operate to secure the cleaning head 12 in either of the first and second positions.
A container 24 containing a cleaning solution is removably received and held within handle 14 through a cooperating structure between the handle and the container. Spring element 26 is biased against one end of the container 24 to secure the container within handle 14. Container 24 is shown received and held by the handle 14 in FIG. 1, and removed from the handle in FIG. 2. As depicted here, container 24 is a pressurized container, for example, a conventional aerosol container having a dispensing valve 30 fluidically connected to a spray nozzle 32 by an mechanical actuator 34. Operation of actuator 34 operates the dispensing valve 30 resulting in the contents of the container 24 being dispensed through spray nozzle 32. Spray nozzle 32 may be adjustable between a fan spray patterned and a stream spray pattern. Actuator 34 is operated by an trigger assembly 36 comprising a trigger 38, trigger shaft 40, trigger return spring 42, cam 44, primary shaft 46 and primary shaft return spring 48.
Trigger 38 is pivotally attached to the handle 14 approximate grip 50. Trigger shaft 40 is retained by the handle 14 for generally vertical reciprocation and is engaged at one end with the trigger 38 and at the opposite end with cam 44, which is pivotally attached to the handle. Trigger return spring 42 is positioned around trigger shaft 40 and is retained by the handle generally bias the trigger shaft against the trigger 38. Primary shaft 46 is retained by the handle 14 for generally vertical reciprocation and is engaged at one end with the cam 44 on a common side as trigger shaft 40, and is operatively engaged at the opposite end with actuator 34. Primary shaft return spring 48 is positioned around the primary shaft 46 and is retained by the handle to generally bias the primary shaft 46 in a direction of disengagement from the cam 44. In operation, a user pulls the trigger 38 urging the trigger shaft 40 against cam 44 causing the cam to pivot and apply a downwardly force against primary shaft 46 resulting in the primary shaft operating against the actuator 34. Actuator 34 depressing or pushing against dispensing valve 30 resulting in fluid contained under pressure within container 24 to be dispensed through spray nozzle 32.
FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10, wherein container 24 is replaced by removable container 52. Container 52 comprises a conventional reciprocating mechanical pump 54 that is operable to pump the contents of the container through discharge opening 56. Actuator 34 is configured to fluidically connect the discharge opening with spray nozzle 32 and operate the pump 54 when the trigger 38 is repetitively pressed.
FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including an aerosol type container 58 having a spray nozzle 60 integrated with a dispensing valve 62. Here spray nozzle 32 is removed, and actuator 34 is configured to operate dispensing valve 62.
FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a mechanical pump type container 64 having a spray nozzle 66 integrates with mechanical pump 68. Here spray nozzle is removed, and actuator 34 is configured to operate the pump 68.
FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 having an container 70 integral with handle 14. Container 70 includes an opening 72 permitting filling the container with a fluid. A cap 74 is removably engagable with handle 14 to seal opening 72. A lift tube 76 is fluidically connected with the container 70 at one end and is connected to mechanical pump 78 at the opposite end. Mechanical pump 78 fluidically connects the lift tube 76 to the spray nozzle 32. Repetitive operation of trigger 38 results in fluid within container 70 being pumped and discharged through spray nozzle 32.
FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a mechanical pump 80 having an integral spray nozzle 82 and a lift tube 76 fluidically connected to the pump and to the container 70.
FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a removable container 84 having a quantity of fluid 86. A fluid accumulator 88 is disposed within handle 14 and includes a check valve 90 for establishing a fluid connection between the container 84 and the fluid accumulator 88 when container 84 is positioned within handle 14, as shown. Check valve 90 permits fluid flow into the accumulator 88 from the container 84 and prevents reverse flow of fluid into the container 84. Accumulator 88 can be fitted with a piercing conduit (not shown) and the container 84 can be fitted with a membrane seal (not shown) such that when the container 84 is received by the handle 14 the piercing conduit would puncture through the membrane seal and establish a fluid connection between the container 84 and the accumulator 88. Lift tube 76 is fluidically connected at one end to the accumulator 88 and to the mechanical pump 78 at the opposite end. Mechanical pump 78 fluidically connects the lift tube 76 to the spray nozzle 32. Repetitive operation of trigger 38 results in fluid within accumulator 88 being pumped and discharged through spray nozzle 32. This arrangement permits use of the device in an inverted position until the fluid within the accumulator is exhausted. Positioning the device 10 upright will result in filling of the accumulator 88.
FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device 10 of FIG. 8 including a container 90 integrated within the handle 14. The accumulator 88 and the container 90 are fluidically connected by check valve 92.
FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including an alternative trigger assembly 94. Trigger assembly 94 includes trigger 96, trigger shaft 98 and trigger return spring 100. Trigger 96 is pivotally connected to handle 14. Trigger shaft 98 is retained by handle 14 for vertical reciprocation and is engaged at one end with the trigger 96 and at the opposite end is engaged with actuator 34. Trigger return spring 100 is positioned around trigger shaft 98 and retained by handle 14 so as to urge the trigger shaft 98 in a direction away from the trigger 96 or upwardly.
FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including an alternative trigger assembly 102. Trigger assembly 102 includes trigger 104, cable 106, trigger shaft 108 and trigger return spring 110. Trigger 104 is pivotally connected to handle 14. Trigger shaft 108 is retained by handle 14 for vertical reciprocation. One end of cable 106 is connected to the trigger 104 and the opposite end is connected to trigger shaft 108 at one end thereof. Opposite end of trigger shaft 108 is engaged with actuator 34. Trigger return spring 110 is positioned around trigger shaft 108 and retained by handle 14 so as to urge the trigger shaft 108 in a direction away from the trigger 104 or upwardly. Squeezing the trigger 104 results in tensioning cable 106 and urging the trigger shaft 108 downwardly to operate actuator 34.
FIGS. 12 through 14 diagrammatically illustrate an embodiment of the device 10 including an extension handle 112. Handle 14 is modified to include a socket 114. Socket 114 and extension handle 112 are configured to include cooperating structure permitting the releasable reception of the extension handle by socket 114. For example, socket 114 could include a spring biased prong 116 receivable by a groove 118 on handle 112. Trigger assembly 120 includes a first trigger 122, a cam 124, a lift shaft 126, a trigger shaft 128, a trigger shaft return spring 130, a second trigger 132, pivot link 134, trigger coupling 136. Trigger 122 is pivotally connected to handle 114. Lift shaft 126 is retained by the handle 14 for generally vertical reciprocation and is engaged at one end with the trigger 122 and at the opposite end with cam 124, which is pivotally attached to the handle. Trigger shaft 128 is retained by the handle 14 for generally vertical reciprocation and is engaged at an intermediate location therealong with the cam 124 on a common side as lift shaft 126. Trigger shaft 128 extends through an opening 138 formed through trigger 122 and terminates at barb-shaped end 140 within socket 114. The opposite end of the trigger shaft 128 is engaged with actuator 34. Trigger shaft return spring 130 is positioned around the trigger shaft 128 and is retained by the handle 14 to generally bias the trigger shaft 128 in a direction of disengagement from the cam 124. Second trigger 132 is pivotally connected to extension handle 112. Trigger coupling 136 is retained by extension handle 112 for vertical reciprocation and includes a notch 142 at one end thereof configured to receive the barb-shaped end 140 of the trigger shaft 128. Pivot link 134 connects trigger 132 to the opposite end of the trigger coupling 136 such that operation of trigger results in vertical movement of the trigger coupling 136.
In FIG. 12, the dispenser 10 is shown with a covering 144 exploded from socket 114 that is engagable, for example by a threaded coupling with handle 14 to cover socket 114. In FIG. 13, the covering 144 is removed, and the extension handle 112 is shown exploded from socket 114. In FIG. 14, the extension handle 112 is shown engaged with socket 114 and with the barb-shaped end 140 engaged with notch 142. The extension handle 112 may be further secured to handle 14 by a movable collar 113 that may be positioned to encircle handle 114 and extension handle 112 about socket 114. The collar 113 could be a slip collar or could be threaded. An example of a locking arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,195. Further a biased release button 115 permits release of the barb-shaped end of shaft 140 from notch 142 by pressing laterally against shaft 140.
Maintaining reference to FIGS. 12 through 14, it can now be understood operation of trigger 122 urges the lift shaft 126 against cam 124 causing the cam to pivot and apply a downwardly force against trigger shaft 128 resulting in the trigger shaft operating against the actuator 34. Actuator 34 operates the dispensing valve 30 resulting in fluid contained under pressure within container 24 to be dispensed through spray nozzle 32. Alternatively, operation of trigger 132 causes a downward pull on trigger shaft 128 resulting in the trigger shaft operating against the actuator 34.
FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 diagrammatically illustrate an embodiment of the device 10 including a telescopic extension comprising a tubular 144 telescopically positioned within bore 146 in handle 14. Cleaning head 12 is disposed on tubular 144 and the extension and refraction of tubular 144 in bore 146 displaces the cleaning head relative to handle 14. A coil tube 148 fluidically connects the dispensing valve 30 with spray nozzle 32. A compression fitting 150 secures the tubular 144 in a desired position. The telescopic extension is shown retracted in FIG. 15 and extended in FIG. 16.
FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 diagrammatically illustrate an embodiment of the device 10 having a telescopic tube assembly 152 as an alternative to the coiled tube 148. The telescopic tube assembly 152 includes an inner tube 154 sliding received in a sealing manner by an outer tube 156. The telescopic extension is shown retracted in FIG. 17 and extending in FIG. 18.
FIG. 19 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including an alternative cleaning member 152 in the form of a bristle brush.
FIG. 20 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including an alternative cleaning member 154 in the form of a sponge or like absorbent material.
FIG. 21 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a cleaning head 156 having only a squeegee blade 158.
FIG. 22 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including an interchangeable cleaning implement 160 that is depicted as a squeegee blade. Cleaning implement is removably secured to the cleaning head 162 and can be interchange with several different cleaning implement types, such as, but not limited to squeegee blades, scraper blades, scrubbing implements, etc. Further, the device include a second spray nozzle 164 positioned on an opposite side of the handle 14 from spray nozzle 32. A selector valve 166 operates to selectively and fluidically connected either nozzle 32 or nozzle 164 to the dispensing valve 30.
FIG. 23 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a cleaning head 168 including a bristle brush 170 and a spray outlet 172 arrange to dispense cleaning solution through the bristle brush. The spray outlet 172 is fluidically connected to a selector valve 174 by flexible coupling 176 which permits the cleaning head 168 to rotate between the first and second positions about coupling 20. The selector valve 174 operates to selectively and fluidically connect either nozzle 32 or spray outlet 172 to the dispensing valve 30. FIG. 24 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 of FIG. 23 without the spray outlet 172, the selector valve 174 and flexible coupling 176.
FIG. 25 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a cleaning member 178 having a nozzle assembly 180 that can comprises a plurality of discharge outlets 182 arranged radially around the cleaning member and/or across the length of the cleaning member to saturate the cleaning head with cleaning solution. The nozzle assembly 180 is fluidically connected to a selector valve 183 by a flexible coupling 184 which permits the cleaning head 12 to rotate between the first and second positions about coupling 20. The selector valve 182 operates to selectively and fluidically connect either nozzle 32 or nozzle assembly 180 to the dispensing valve 30.
FIG. 26 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 including a cleaning member 185 that is pivotally connected to the cleaning head 12 by lockable pivot coupling 186 that enables an operator to adjust and lock the angular position of the planar cleaning surface 188 of the cleaning member 184. In an aspect, the cleaning member 184 may be adjusted such that the planar cleaning surface 188 is positioned horizontally with respect to the handle 14, thereby permitting the operator to clean a ceiling surface. The cleaning member 184 may include a nozzle assembly 190 that can comprise a plurality of discharge outlets 192 arranged across the length of the cleaning member. The nozzle assembly 190 is fluidically connected to a selector valve 194 by a flexible coupling 196 which permits the cleaning head 12 to rotate between the first and second positions about coupling 20. The selector valve 194 operates to selectively and fluidically connect either nozzle 32 or nozzle assembly 190 to the dispensing valve 30. Further, the pivot coupling 186 can include a pivotal or flexible fluid joint 198.
In FIGS. 27 through 29, there is diagrammatically illustrated an embodiment of the dispenser 10 including cleaning head 200 including a removable scrubber or absorbent 202 and a squeegee blade 204 centrally disposed along the length of the scrubber 202. Further included is a rotatable spray nozzle 206 that is fluidically connected to dispensing valve 30 (not shown). Spray nozzle 206 is shown in a forward position in FIG. 28 and a rearward position in FIG. 29. Spray nozzle 206 may be locked in either position.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20120079666
